Sgt. Jared Sandifer with LSP said the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations began looking into possible wrongdoing by Abels in May 2018 after being contacted by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA) regarding possible payroll fraud by Abels.

He added investigators uncovered there were multiple times when Abels claimed he was working and was paid for it, but he was not actually performing duties for LTC.

According to Sandifer, investigators also reported there were several times when they saw Abels using a state rental vehicle for personal use and discovered he submitted fuel reimbursement requests for the vehicle.

Abels is charged with one count of malfeasance in office, one count of public payroll fraud, and 63 counts of filing or maintaining false public records. All of the charges are felonies.

Abels was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. His bond is set at $16,300.